Modhera Sun Temple

Here is the next post from the series “Temples: Architectural Wonders of India”!!!

This Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity “Surya” (Sun) located in Modhera village of Mehsana district, Gujrat, India. It is situated on the bank of river Pushpavati. It was built in 1026-27 CE during the reign of King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty. It is a protected monument maintained by Archeological Survey of India. The temple complex has three components Griha Mandap (the shrine hall), Sabhamandap (the assembly hall) and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines. The temple is built on 23.6° latitude (approximately near Tropic of Cancer).

No worship is offered here now. The Garbhagriha is designed in such a way that the first rays of the rising sun lit up the image of Surya during solar equinox days and on summer solstice day, the sun shines directly above the temple at the noon casting no shadow. The panels on the Gudhamandapa are decorated with Sun in the center which indicates that the temple is dedicated to Surya. These images wear peculiar West Asian (Persian) boots and belt. The other corners and niches are decorated with figures of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in various forms. The depicted scenes on small flat ceilings and lintels of Sabhamandap are from epics like Ramayan. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organises an annual three-day dance festival known as ‘Uttarardha Mahotsav’ in the temple during the third week of January, following the festival of Uttarayan.

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